BACKGROUND:
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is an important health concern, but there are few studies describing its management in different countries. This prospective, longitudinal, non-interventional study aimed to assess differences in CHB management in five European countries (Germany, France, Poland, Romania, and Turkey).

METHODS:
Data were collected from CHB patients' records between 2008 and 2010. Patients were stratified by treatment status at baseline (Treated or Untreated). The primary objective was to estimate the probability of a CHB management modification (treatment initiation or change) among patients from each country during a 2 year follow-up.

RESULTS:
1,267 patients were included (567 Treated, 700 Untreated). Baseline characteristics between countries and treatment status groups were broadly comparable. Most patients had an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) measurement in the 12 months prior to baseline; proportions of patients with an HBV DNA assessment varied by country and treatment status. The Kaplan-Meier-estimated probability of any treatment modification ranged from 9.4% (Turkey), to 30.1% (Poland) at 12 months, and 10.0% (Turkey) to 40.0% (Poland) at 24 months. Modifications were more common in Treated than Untreated patients. The most frequently reported reasons for modifying treatment were HBV DNA-related. The majority of Treated patients were treated with monotherapy; however, choice of therapy differed between countries.

CONCLUSIONS:
This is the first longitudinal study describing CHB management in European countries. Differences were observed in treatment and monitoring between countries, but ALT and HBV DNA levels consistently emerged as key tests in the management of CHB in all five countries.